CULTIVATION IN AMERICA. 



in a soil that contains a more than usual store of 

 oxide of iron. 



Raising Scotch Heather from seed requires as 

 careful treatment as does the multiplication of any of 

 the plants belonging to the heath family, by a simi- 

 lar method of propagation. The soil most suitable in 

 which to sow seeds of Scotch Heather is one com- 

 posed of good peat loam and sharp, clean sand, in 

 equal parts. The soil should be made fine by pass- 

 ing it through a small-meshed sieve. Shallow earthen 

 pans, or shallow boxes, are the most desirable recepta- 

 cles for sowing the seed in, although preference should 

 be given to the earthen pans, as there is less danger 

 of fungous attacks by their use than in the case of 

 the wooden boxes. The pans should be well drained 

 with broken crocks, and a layer of sphagnum moss 

 should be placed over the crocks, so as to prevent the 

 soil washing into the drainage. After the pans, or 

 boxes, are thoroughly drained, put into them two or 

 three inches of the above compost, pressing it down 

 firmly and evenly. When this is done give the soil 

 a watering with a fine rose, and after the soil has ab- 

 sorbed all the water the seeds may then be sown. 



As the seeds are small, they have to be sown care- 

 fully and evenly over the surface of the material used, 

 and very slightly covered with soil. The pans, or 

 boxes, may now be placed in a temperature ranging 

 from 50 to 60 degrees, and they must be carefully 

 watched so that they may not get dry. When the 

 seeds germinate, if there is any sign of fungus, the 

 young plants should at once be transplanted into fresh 

 soil, which is one of the best remedies to check damp- 



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